The Philippine Army (PA) has started the distribution of
24,300 brand-new 5.56mm R4A3 rifles to ground units based in the Visayas and Cotabato ,PA
"Priorities for distribution are the troops assigned in
Mindanao . However, due to our logistics
distribution schedule, especially the availability of our C-130s, the troops in
the Visayas and Cotabato received their rifles in advance last week," he
added.
The initial distribution of the newly procured 5.56 R4A3
carbine rifles, also known as M-4 rifles, is part of the 44,186 total rifles
that are now on-hand in the Army arsenal with 19,866 rifles still undergoing
ballistic tests by the Philippine National Police.
The new M-4 rifles are part of the Army’s modernization program.
For this year, the PA expects the delivery of more armored
personnel carriers, protective gears for individual soldiers, and radio
communication equipment.
“By 2016, the PA envisions to be a well-equipped and
respected Army in Southeast Asia , and a potent
force that is ready and capable to address external threats,” PA commander Lt.
Gen. Eduardo M. Año said.
There was a delay in the distribution of the new M-4s after
the Army asked the contractor to improve its sight mechanism.
As reported, all sight mechanisms of the Army’s M4 were
already replaced by the manufacturer.
It can be recalled that the PA has procured a total of
56,843 carbine rifles as part of its capability upgrade program. It is still
awaiting the delivery of another 12,657 rifles.
The procurement of new firearms is part of the three
horizons revised Armed Forces of the Philippine Modernization Act under
Republic Act No. 10349 signed in December 2012 that aims to develop a credible
strategic Armed Force and the professionalization of the AFP.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=808911
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